WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is doing a lot to try to bring Americans held hostage by Hamas home but declined to get into specifics due to security reasons.
Speaking to a group of Jewish community leaders at the White House, the President said his administration is working hard to bring the Americans home safely and he has not given up hope.
“We’re working on every aspect of the hostage crisis in Israel, including deploying experts to advise and assist with recovery efforts,” he said. “Now, the press is going to shout to me, and many of you are, that you know … what are you doing to bring these — get these folks home? If I told you, I wouldn’t be able to get them home. Folks, there’s a lot we’re doing, a lot we’re doing.
“I have not given up hope of bringing these folks home,” he continued. “But the idea that I’m going to stand here before you and tell you what I’m doing is bizarre. So, I hope you understand how bizarre I think it would be to try to answer that question.”
Biden’s comments came just hours after the State Department confirmed the death toll had risen from 14 American deaths to 22 in less than a day.
Officials have said Americans are being held hostage after Hamas attacked Israel but have not confirmed a number. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at Wednesday’s press briefing that the number is believed to be “very small” but that could change.
Biden painted a horrifying picture of the aftermath of the attack, saying he’s never seen carnage as brutal as this in all his years in public service.
“I never really thought that I would see and have confirmed pictures of terrorists beheading children,” Biden said.
According to two senior administration officials, Biden was referring to reports from Israel about beheaded children, citing several media reports of beheadings.
Fwrd Axis has not been able to confirm the reports.
